Free Double Take by Brenda Joyce Page A

“I
have
to talk to you.” She hung up, staring at the house again, then quickly redialed the number, this time leaving a numeric message—her call-back number. Surely that would get her sister’s attention.
    She glanced at the house one more time, now slipping the phone back into her pocket. If someone was watching from the house, it was impossible for her to see. Kait decided she was being paranoid once again. She turned her back on the house and plopped down in the grass, not far from a huge old elm tree. The beauty of the autumn day and of Fox Hollow washed over her then. She would try to call Lana again, later. Kait wondered what Lana would have to say for herself when they finally spoke. The one thing Kait was sure of was that Lana would not give up Marni without a bitter fight.
    Kait closed her eyes and instantly Trev Coleman’s image assailed her. It stiffened her relaxed body immediately. In two days, he would be told the truth of who she was. She suddenly realized that, considering how he despised his wife now, he was going to despise her as well. After all, she was Lana’s twin, and she had thrust this huge deception, this huge lie, upon him.
    Kait sat up, more than disturbed, hugging her knees to herself. She did not want Trev Coleman to hate her. Not now, and not ever.
    Because he was Marni’s father, because he was her brother-in-law, because they were also her family now, or they would be, after Lana returned and they told everyone the truth.
    He was going to be very angry with both Lana and her. Kait simply knew it. And knowing that, she did not know what to do.
    This entire scheme was a terrible idea. Why hadn’t Lana gone to the police?
    That in itself made no sense.
    And the fact that someone was out there, in her past, who might help her pay off this loan shark also made little sense. Who could that person be?
    Kait didn’t want to analyze her sister’s predicament now. It had sounded odd the moment she read the letter, but with Lana’s life being in danger—and Marni’s—there was no arguing with what Lana had decided to do.
    Kait flopped back on her back. How to smooth things over with Trev Coleman—now and after they told him the truth? Her anxiety knew no bounds. She wanted to relax and enjoy the autumn afternoon, but how could she? The scent of horses was faint now, the scent of autumn strong. And it was heaven, being there. She sighed, then inhaled deeply, staring up at the sky. A flock of geese appeared, heading south. She watched them for a long time, until they disappeared from sight.
    This was the kind of place no one in their right mind would ever want to leave.
    Impulsively, she sat, unlaced her boots, and took off her socks and shoes. She lay back down, staring at the sky through the elm’s leafy orange canopy, images of Trev and Marni dancing in her mind.
    She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
    When she awoke it was dark.
    Kait rushed to her feet, unable to believe she had fallen so soundly asleep—and for so long. She grabbed her boots, plunging her feet into them sockless. Socks in hand, she rushed up the hill. The back door on the veranda was not locked, and she slipped into the living room.
    One light was on. There was also a pair of lit wall sconces in the entry on either side of the front door. But otherwise, the house was in shadow, and it was so quiet that Kait had the distinct feeling that she was alone. Where was everybody?
    And why did the idea of being alone cause her to feel alarmed? She hurried through a formal dining room with a trestle table and studded leather-backed chairs. The kitchen had one light on as well. She found and hit a wall switch. It became brilliantly illuminated.
    A quick glance at the clock on the oven-microwave unit told her it was almost half past seven. Where was everyone? And why wasn’t dinner on the stove—or in the oven?
    Her stomach growled madly. The only thing she had eaten all day was two chocolate chip cookies and a glass